Piano Service Contracts

[Jeff Tanner]

>PS Do you think we could sell piano tuning insurance, that is non canceble,
>with guaranteed rates. Get your piano tuned every 6 months, at $100 per
>tuning, for 5 years, at a rate of $175 per year, and if they pay all at once,
>they can get a 10% discount. That would include free voicing and 1 complete
>regulation during the five years. Any body out there that does something like
>this?
>Wim


Although I never carried it out because I chose the institutional route, I,
at one time, was attempting to put together a plan almost exactly as you
mention.  I have since heard that some techs around the Atlanta/Northeast
GA area may be doing something like this.  One would think that this could
help stabilize income somewhat.  The reason I even considered it was
because I had sold service contracts for computers, telephone equipment,
copiers, etc., representing companies which were in that business.  In
those markets, the service calls seemed to even out in much the same way as
the risks associated with insurance do...and quite profitable at that.  I
think it would be a good way to be able to provide some customers with the
service they need but might not be able to afford in lump sums (your
customer is methodically budgeting for piano service), and at the same time
go towards leveling out the peaks and valleys in the tech's income.  It
would seem to me that churches and piano teachers/students would benefit
most from this type of plan.  I think it would at least be an EXCELLENT
companion to new piano sales, covering such things as tuning, broken
strings, regulating, etc., not covered under the warranty, in much the same
way that Circuit City, Best Buy, or Sears sells service contracts on new
electronic equipment.  In those cases, however, those contracts are
designed to take over when the warranty period runs out.  But I do know
that the Sears contract includes a free cleaning/inspection once per year
(which reminds me...it's time to get my cam-corder in for that now).
Like I said, it was merely a brain-child...I never actually tried it.  I am
just as interested in hearing whether or not anyone has successfully tried
it.

A local piano dealer here made his fortune on piano rentals.  i.e.,
cashflow.  Wouldn't that be the same concept?

And I stand corrected on the insurance rates issue.  Thank you.
JT


Jeff Tanner, Piano Technician
School of Music
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803)-777-4392 (phone)
(803)-777-6508 (fax)